Their styles of filmmaking and choice of subjects are quite different, yet filmmaker Karan Johar has always enjoyed director Rohit Shetty’s brand of action-comedy. After watching Golmaal 3 (2010), Karan apparently called Rohit to compliment his work in the film. The two exchanged numerous messages and last week, when Karan returned from Bangkok after wrapping up a schedule of his campus caper, Student Of The Year, they met and decided to partner on a project.

This is the first time Dharma Productions, under Karan’s reign, has signed on an established director for a film. “We are extremely excited about this venture. Rohit’s unbeatable track record, immense goodwill and clockwork professionalism is a dream come true for any producer,” says Karan, adding, “The cast, script and time zone are still in the process of discussion.”

According to a source, the film will only hit the sets next year, once Rohit finishes work on his other commitments like the Ajay Devgn-Abhishek Bachchan starrer Bol Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan’s Chennai Express.

A source says, “The script is yet to be locked. Karan has left it to Rohit to decide what kind of a film he wants to make. He has always given this kind of creative freedom to first-time directors. So why would he not give Rohit, who has five superhits behind him, the same?”